Infection Chain
A model used to understand the infection process is the chain of infection, a circle of links, each representing a component in the cycle. Each link must be present and in sequential order for an infection to occure. The link are: infectious agent ,reservoir , portal of exit from the reservoir , mode of transmission and portal of entry into susceptible host. Understanding the characteristic of each links provides with methods to support vulnerable child and to prevent the spread of infection . An awareness of this cycle also provides with knowledge of methods of self-protection.
Definitions:
*Infectious Agent: A microbial organism with the ability to cause disease. The greater the organism’s virulence ( ability to grow and multiply ), invasiveness ( ability to enter tissue ), and pathogenicity (ability to cause disease ), the greater the possibility that the organism will cause on infection. Infectious agent are bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites.
*Reservoir: A place within which microorganisms can thrive and reproduce. For